Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Sean Kuraly was chosen in the 15th round, 283rd overall, of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection by the Plymouth Whalers.

2009-10: Kuraly played for the Ohio Blue Jackets Major Midget squad, scoring 29 goals and adding 44 assists for 73 points in 45 games. Kuraly also saw his first action in the USHL with the Indiana Ice, playing in 5 games for that team. He scored 1 goal and added 2 assists for 3 points in those appearances.

2010-11: In his first season in the USHL, Kuraly played in 51 games for the Indiana Ice. He scored 8 goals and added 21 assists for 29 points. In 5 playoff games, he scored 1 goal and added 1 assist for 2 points. Kuraly played for the USA’s silver medal squad at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

2011-12: Kuraly explored for a 41 point improvement over last year in USHL for the Indiana Ice. The 2011, 5th round draft pick scored 32 goals along 38 assists in 54 games and showed he has a bigger offensive upside than first expected. The two-way centerman set a team record of six shorthanded goals this season and was fourth in scoring for the USHL. Kuraly and his Indiana team had an inconsistent 2012 Clark Cup Playoffs when they won the first round series, 2-1 over the defending Champions, Dubuque Fighting Saints only to be swept 3-0 by the Green bay Gamblers in the semi-finals. The two-way centerman played well in both rounds of the playoffs, scoring three goals along with three assists and an impressive plus eight rating in six USHL playoff games.

2012-13: Kuraly played in 40 games for Miami as a freshman and was part of the gold medal-winning USA team at the 2013 World Junior Championship. Centering the RedHawks’ second line behind leading scorer Austin Czarnik, he scored 6 goals with 6 assists and was -5 with 41 penalty minutes. Miami won the CCHA regular season title and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after losing to Michigan in the CCHA semifinals. The Buckeyes defeated Minnesota State in the NCAA Midwest Regional before falling to St. Cloud State. Kuraly scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was +4 with 2 penalty minutes in seven games at the WJC. The USA defeated Sweden, 3-1, in the gold medal game.

Talent Analysis

Kuraly is a two-way centerman. He has all the tools to be a good offensive player but he just has not been able to find any consistency at the collegiate level to let that side of his game show. His strong playmaking abilities and better than average shot would indicate there is more offense in the tank.

While his anemic offense dumbfounds scouts and coaches, his penalty killing prowess and solid hockey I.Q. excite. The player uses his speed well, and creates opportunities on the rush; he has just not been able to capitalize on them. If he can ever improve upon his shot accuracy, he could be a very dynamic two-way forward with NHL potential. As it stands now, Kuraly is on the outside looking in.

Future

Kuraly will gear up for his sophomore season with the Miami (Ohio) University Redhawks in the CCHA. With a slough of veterans graduating, Kuraly could be in a prime position to move out of this checking role he found himself in early last season.

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